SHOCKED villagers have paid tribute to Ian Jones, the hero driver murdered while trying to stop thieves driving off with his lorry

Mr Jones, of Park Cottages, Queen's Road, Hawkhurst, stood in front of the 18-ton Dixons delivery vehicle, as the hijackers started to drive it away.

They ran him over and left him dying in the service yard of a Curry's store in Essex.

Neighbours of Mr Jones described him as "one of the most helpful and likable men you could meet".

Sally-Anne Heath, also of Park Cottages, said: "We're all pretty devastated. Ian had lived in the village all his life and was well known and well liked by everyone."

Mr Jones, 44, a bachelor, had been a retained firefighter for Hawkhurst for 21 years. His former sub-officer Eric Else, who knew him well, said: "I'm not at all surprised at the way he died.

"He wouldn't have stopped to think about the possible dangers to himself. He just wouldn't stand by and allow 'his' lorry to be stolen.

"Ian was always ready to help others. This is a terrible thing to happen."

Mr Jones was nicknamed Dusty by his fellow firefighters because he would always arrive at shouts covered in wood-chippings and shavings from his work in a timber yard.

But after he was made redundant from Kent Woodware in Hawkhurst he was forced to leave the brigade. His new job delivering for Dixons meant long shifts and unusual hours.

He was dropping off a load at the Curry's store in Hall Lane, Chingford, when the tragedy occurred.

He had pulled his lorry, which was carrying a valuable load of dishwashers, washing machines, TVs and DVD players into the store's service yard and went inside to report.

He then heard his lorry starting up and dashed outside to see it being driven off. At least one man got out of the van and climbed aboard the lorry.

Hearing his engine start up, Mr Jones rushed back outside and tried to stop the robbers, but was mown over, suffering serious injuries. He was declared dead less than half an hour later at North Middlesex Hospital.

The lorry continued to drive off followed closely by a white van.

As they made their escape, the robbers had an altercation with the driver of a dust-cart in a nearby street that was partially blocking their way.The gang drove up onto the pavement to get past.

Both vehicles then stopped in nearby Sinclair Road, where about one-third of the load was transferred to the van. The remaining two thirds has been recovered.

The van, registration number P461 WMF, had been stolen from Becton, East London, 10 days before. It was found burnt out in Epping Forest at 2.30am on Friday.

Det Insp Carl Tipping is leading the murder hunt. Police say there were either two or three men involved. The suspects are described as white, aged 25 to 40, with fair hair.

Anyone with any information should call police on 020 8345 3437 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A post mortem examination was carried out on Mr Jones last Friday.